Safer Football Helmet

ABSTRACT

This safer football helmet is constructed of a two-piece molded shell (rounder helmet). The inner shell is the basic helmet (rounder) as we see today. Two options are available for implementation. Option one: retrofit an exiting helmet by installing a rim or no rim and outer-shell cap, attached by a bolt and assorted washers (steel/rubber) to the inner shell, that serves to deflect, rotate, and disperse the force of impact. Option two: manufacture a helmet with a molded rim or no rim as part of the inner-shell, into which the outer shell will fit. With this design, the outer-shell cap could be interlocked with the helmet inner-shell locking rim with no need for the bolt. This two shell football helmet is designed to reduce all impact forces by deflecting, rotating, and dispersing the outer-shell.

BACKGROUND

Professionals and amateurs alike wear protective head gear to reduce the chance of head injury while American football. The plastic helmet came in 1940 by Riddell. In the same year Riddell also developed the first chin strap to rest on the chin instead of the neck and the first plastic face mask. In 1955, G.E. Morgan, a consultant to Riddell, and Paul Brown, the coach of the Cleveland Browns, invented the BT-5 face mask which is the single bar design. In the late 1976, because of concern for safety, four chin straps were required in college ball.

In the past few years, the outrage surrounding sports-related concussions in the game of football has mounted. In June 2012, more than 2,000 NFL players filed a class-action suit against the league as well as Riddell, the largest football helmet manufacturer and an official NFL partner, accusing them of obfuscating the science of brain trauma. The real issue is that lives are at stake.

Also with the elevated attention from the media on concussions in football, any new football helmet designs that improve the impact reduction and lessen the forces impacting the head of a player are urgently needed. This football helmet invention should provide an improve an improved football helmet.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A football helmet is made of a substance called vinyl nitrile, while the line (padding) is made of material to absorb energy, to reduce the chances of concussion. My football helmet is composed of a two-piece shell: the inner-shell is a standard football with liner/pads and rim mold or (no rim) added to the helmet, whereas the outer-shell cap is on top of said helmet inserted in the rim track with freedom to rotate. A bolt and assorted washers (steel or rubbers) near the crown of the helmet serves to connect the outer-shell cap to the inner-shell/helmet with freedom to rotate. The bolt could also be molded into the outer-shell cap for a safer surface, or the outer-shell cap could be interlocked with the rim with no bolt.

Front lineal helmet contacts on the outer-shell cap will deflect, rotate, disperse, and reduce the force of impact to the rear or (no rim) of the inner-shell helmet: therefore reducing the risk of head injuries and concussions.

Rear lineal helmet contacts on the outer-shell cap will deflect, rotate, and disperse the force of impact to the front rim of the inner-shell of the helmet therefore reducing the risk of head injuries and concussions

Side helmet contacts on the outer-shell cap will deflect, rotate, and disperse by reducing the force of impact, therefore reducing the risk of head injuries and concussions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We all agree that no football helmet can completely prevent all head injuries to players in the sport of football or any sport for that matter. This football helmet invention includes two shells (one standard rounded helmet with a rim around so to insert the outer-shell cap) and a bolt in the top crown area connecting the two shells. The object of this helmet invention is to provide significant reduction of all impact forces from any direction to the helmet. Lastly this football helmet invention should improve the safety of all players in the game of football.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a front view of the outer-shell cap helmet of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the inner-shell helmet of the invention. The outer-shell cap of FIG. 1 will be inserted on top of inner-shell helmet in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the outer-shell cap helmet of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the inner-shell helmet of this invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the outer-shell cap helmet of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the inner-shell helmet of this invention.

FIG. 7 is the top view of the outer-shell cap helmet of this invention.

FIG. 8 is the top view of the inner-shell helmet of this invention.

FIG. 9 is the cut out front view of the outer-shell cap helmet connecting by inserted by interlocking to the rim track of the inner-shell helmet of this invention.

FIG. 10 is the cut out front view of the outer-shell cap helmet connecting by a bolt and inserted with the U or H shape edge to the rim track of the inner-shell helmet of this invention. 

1. This helmet, composed of a two-piece shell, is designed to minimize the shock of any impact force by deflecting, rotating and dispersing the energy by rotating the outer shell cap on the inner-shell helmet area.
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